6 Great Meals To Feed A Crowd

June 22, 2016

We love having people in our home, it's actually one of the reasons we bought this particular house because of the spacious patio and backyard perfect for hosting. We host small group at our house 3-4 times a month and a meal is always involved (roughly feeding 15-20 adults and children). Also, we have friends over frequently. We just love people and love hosting.

I am not the greatest chef. In fact, when I was younger my family used to tease me and say the only things I would know how to cook my future family would be Shake 'n Bake and Macaroni and Cheese. While I am no Gordon Ramsay, I have learned a few things and can now hold my own (unless my family lies to me... in which case, don't tell me, ignorance is bliss!). When it comes to feeding a lot of people, I have learned a couple of things:

1. Keep it simple. The more people involved, the less complicated your meal needs to be. Crowds aren't the best time to try out fancy complicated recipes with rare ingredients.

2. Be strategic in what you ask others to bring. On small group nights, everyone chips in and brings something, but we still need a plan. Think about the different categories and what would be the best way to make a complete meal from drinks, to main meal, to desserts. What is the easiest for you to prepare as the host, and then what additions would be the most helpful to you.

Build Your Own...

This is probably my favorite way to feed a crowd, setting up a Build Your Own table. This option is great for groups where everyone is bringing something to pitch in. I also like that this works for picky eaters because they choose what goes on their plate.

Salads - Kyle isn't a big salad fan, so I tend to go for this option on girls nights. Divi up your options for everything from different kinds of lettuce, to proteins, to cheese (can I get an amen for feta cheese on a salad??), to nuts, to fruit, to dressing.... the possibilities are literally endless. Line it all up and let people build a masterpiece.

Our families' favorite turns out to be a great crowd pleaser. You can easily double the recipe and the great thing about crock pots is it cooks all day for you so there is less to worry about right before all the people come over! I actually made this for Shepherd's Bug Birthday Party and it was a hit!

Great things for others to bring:

Bread
Salad
Drinks
Dessert
Paper-ware

Spaghetti

It doesn't get more simple than this youth group classic. Cook your sauce and meat in your crock pot and all the noodles in your stock pot (ha! I made a rhyme... poet and didn't know it).

Another great crock pot option. Any version of tacos I think is a great crowd pleaser and easy enough to put together. My favorite are Fun Jen's Chicken Tacos (with cilantro and lime juice, yum!). This is another recipe that is easily doubled depending on your crowd size.

Great things for others to bring:

Tortillas
Cheese
Chips and Salsa
Drinks
Dessert
Paper-ware

Taco Soup

.... speaking of Taco options.... Taco Soup is my favorite soup hands down. It's so so easy. But really, any easy soups are a good option, especially in the Fall and Winter.

Here's my recipe for Taco Soup:

Throw the following things in your trusty crock pot - 3-4 chicken breasts, 1 can of corn, 1 can of beans (pinto or black), 1-2 cans of rotel, 1 packet of dry ranch dressing, 1 packet of taco seasoning. Fill to the top with water and let it cook all day until the chicken is thoroughly cooked. Before serving, take the chicken out and shred it and then add it back in.